LAMORINDA WEEKLY | A Year of Tumult and Triumph: Amy Worth Concludes Third Term as Mayor


Photo Ohlen Alexander

"WHEREAS, Orinda residents really do refer to Amy as the 'Mother of the 4th Bore' of the Caldecott Tunnel ... the City Council honors Amy Worth for her service as 2013 Mayor of Orinda, and thanks her for her timeless commitment and dedication to the citizens of Orinda."

Praised by her fellow Orinda City Council members as "a major powerhouse when it comes to Bay Area transportation issues," Amy Worth concluded her third term as mayor of the city of Orinda Dec. 3. Sue Severson and Steve Glazer were named mayor and vice mayor that same night as Worth returned to her regular council seat.

In 2013, Orindans witnessed, quite literally, the light at the end of the tunnel when the Metropolitan Transportation Commission opened the Caldecott Tunnel's fourth bore and Bay Bridge eastern span. "For me as an Orinda City Council member, it's important that freeways work efficiently," explained Worth of her leadership as mayor and MTC's chair. "A lot of families are commuting for their jobs." Worth was also liaison to the Contra Costa Mayors' Conference, League of California Cities, Association of Bay Area Governments, Contra Costa County Transit Authority, Lamorinda School Bus Authority, Southwest Area Transportation Committee, and numerous other organizations.

Repair of the Tarabrook sinkhole and replacement of the Manzanita Bridge began. Ground broke on Eden's senior living facility, another Wilder playfield opened, and new homes sprouted from sites in Oak Springs, Orinda Grove and Wilder.

"I don't think we've had a year in many, many years that has been as challenging," observed Glazer, referring to months of four- and five-hour council meetings and calling Worth's leadership superb. "You were under the spotlight, I think, more than any mayor has been, in terms of the challenging issues that we've been facing as a city. And I just think that you've been amazing for your graciousness, and for your diplomacy, and for your kindness and inclusiveness."

"When you're a small city in the larger community like the 19 cities of Contra Costa County, or the San Francisco Bay Area Region," added Councilmember Victoria Smith, "you need to reach out and make connections and build those relationships with others so that you make sure that you get your fair share of the transportation regional funds, of the Measure J and Measure C sales tax money. And Amy has been instrumental in doing that for us - in serving in a regional capacity, in serving outside of Orinda in order to represent Orinda's interests for all of us."

Said Worth, "Twenty-eight years ago when I walked door to door, working on incorporation, I believed so strongly in having a local government, in us being able to have a government in Orinda so that our constituents come locally and participate in creating our own destiny. And I think it's really worked so well in the 28 years, and this year we had an exceptional opportunity to have a lot more public meetings, a lot of participation, and it was really, really wonderful."

"I'm very pleased, after the end of this year, that Orinda residents can drive over a safe bridge, drive through a safe tunnel, and no more merging from four lanes to two. And, I'm also really pleased, for the first time in the history of Orinda, we have submitted a housing element to the state for certification. I think that's a great milestone for our community. And regionally, we've been able to plan for transportation investment and housing for our children and grandchildren as the region moves forward."